Uganda Position Paper

The Republic of Uganda, Security Council, Position Paper Thank you Mr. Chairman. Uganda and the world are in distress. The issues of illegal Pan-American arms trafficking, nuclear weapon nonproliferation, energy regulation, uranium mining, private military contractors, and issues regarding terrorism must be resolved. Uganda urges for tighter regulations on Pan-American arms trafficking, as well as the repression of the making and possession of nuclear weapons and uranium mining. Uganda also urges the UN to combat terrorism in all countries. Uganda also agrees with the Secretary General’s 2010 document, Energy for a Sustainable Future, which requires many modern energy ideas to be put into place by 2030. Uganda advocates the use of private military contractors to aid in the security of nations, but not if mercenaries weaken the military order of a country. Mercenaries bring much needed revenue into Uganda’s economy; private military firms provide jobs for Uganda’s people. Mercenaries from Uganda protect others – in Iraq, Ugandans work as security guards protecting American military bases. Private military contractors are a valid option for countries in need of protection, but without a dependable police force. Unfortunately, Uganda’s police force is understaffed and unable to respond quickly. As in Uganda, other countries need private military contractors to maintain peace and security. However, when mercenaries’ actions undermine country’s military order and cause chaos because they will fight not for a countries cause, but for money, not safety. Uganda will attempt to end this practice. It threatens the power and authority not only of Uganda’s government, but that of all countries. Though private security companies are a valid option for maintaining security, the companies as well as the mercenaries in them should be checked and regulated by the government of the country. Private military leaders call also influence trade. Illegal Pan-American arms trafficking is dangerous for all countries of the world. Though this time it does not directly affect Uganda, it greatly affects one of our ally, the United States of America. Illegal Arms trafficking endangers the lives of people everywhere because of corruption involved and problems of law enforcement. Uganda urges tighter regulations to ensure destruction of the arms trade. Uganda stands with the Organization of American States (OAS) in their Pan-American Arms Trafficking Agreement, in which included nations agree to tighten regulations on the illegal arms flowing between countries by trying their best to make sure that arms traveling between countries are legal according to the laws of both countries. Terrorism is a big problem in the world today. Terrorism has erupted in Africa and has caused Africa great harm. With Uganda, we have worked tiresly in trying to stop terrorism in Africa. We have successfully pushed the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) out of northern Uganda were it did originate. We are currently helping the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the LRA. We have committed over 4,000 soldiers to fight in Somalia against the Al-Shabbab. Help Sudan scholarships, technical assistance, and helped moderate talks between Sudan and Souther Sudan. We also help with relationships between Rwanda, DRC, Burundi, and ourselves in other matters of security issues.

Since, we have been apart of continuing to help other countries and ourselves in combating terrorism and conflicts within countries, we urge the United Nations Security Council to look at terrorism in geographical way. Africa is one of the locations int he world where terrorism flourishes and survives. We need more soldiers in Africa to keep things under control. To help other countries to get rid of their terrorist organizations and the organizations running the countries sometimes. Uganda will continue to send soldiers where necessary to maintain peace and we urge other countries to do the same.

Uganda is a developing country, therefore energy regulation is very important to us. In the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Mineral Development report of 2008, Uganda priorities are to increase electricity generation volume, grow access to modern energy services to

Agricultural based homes, to watch petroleum exploration, and advance mineral investment. We still feel the same way today. We ask all countries to follow The Secretary-Generals’s Advisory Group on Energy and Climate Change, Energy for a Sustainable Future, Report and Recommendations, reported April 2010 (AGECC). Which urged the UN to ensure modern energy services no later than 2030 and to decrease energy intensity by 40% no latter than 2030. If we get modern energy to agricultural based homes using tight regulation to meet the AGECC recommendations and help our priorities, then most of our priorities will follow. To do this the AGECC recommends to launch a global campaign Energy for Sustainable Development and countries should emphasize their own goals with national strategies.

Uranium mining is a very controversial issue. Uganda does not have any uranium in its country bounds. However, we are neighbors to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). There is uranium both, Nigeria and Gabon, also have uranium deposits. Our basic concern is then safety of our people and the people of Africa if radiation does get out from uranium mining. We urge for tighter regulations on uranium mining to ensure safety.

Again, Uganda does not have any nuclear weapons. We urge that the world be free of nuclear weapons. Our President, President Museveni, in 2010 called “for a world free of nuclear weapons,” and still sticks to that statement. We ask that modern and industrialized countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and China nuclear weapons and put pressure on less modern and industrialized countries that do have them. Nuclear weapons are dangerous and cause disastrous affects on the world, its environment, and politics.

We reiterate that the UNSC should tighten regulations on uranium mining and add new regulations to meet energy goals. In addition, the removal of nuclear weapons by all countries and/or have a great compromise. To not discredit private military contractors, but to keep them regulated by the governments of their countries. We need to commit as many troops as possible to help fight terrorism. Finally, for swift peace and security. While we debate, the world is in turmoil.

Thank you, Mr.Chairman for your time.